• Nature or Narrative? Fans are split over whether the ‘incandescent’ final shot of the bald eagle launching from the Clydesdale’s back was real or a ‘CGI masterpiece.’
• The No-AI Guarantee: Anheuser-Busch confirms that ‘American Icons’ was shot with 100% real animals, marking a ‘bold’ return to traditional filmmaking for their 150th anniversary.
• Meet Lincoln: The 28-year-old rescued bald eagle who went from a dumpster to a Super Bowl superstar — and why he’s already more famous than the halftime show.
• ‘Free Bird’ Fever: How the choice of a Southern Rock classic turned a beer commercial into a ‘harrowing’ emotional journey that has grown men blaming the ‘sun in their eyes.’

SANTA CLARA — As the dust settles on Super Bowl LX, the biggest conversation isn’t about the final score at Levi’s Stadium, but the final 10 seconds of Budweiser’s “American Icons.” The shot of a full-grown bald eagle unfurling its wings behind a galloping Clydesdale—briefly creating the silhouette of a living Pegasus—has been called “the most beautiful thing ever put on film.” But with beauty comes skepticism. Social media has been ablaze with theories that the moment was “too perfect” to be real.

However, the truth behind the production is even more impressive than the ad itself. From safety protocols to the real-life bond between the animals, here is how director Henry-Alex Rubin pulled off the “miracle of 2026.”

‘NO AI, NO SHORTCUTS’: THE PRODUCTION SECRETS

In an era where most animal shots are generated in a studio, Budweiser took a ‘brave’ stance. A spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch confirmed that zero artificial intelligence was used in the making of the commercial.

• The Eagle: The star is Lincoln, a 28-year-old bald eagle from the American Eagle Foundation (AEF). He’s the same bird who famously soars over Lincoln Financial Field for Philadelphia Eagles games.

• The Location: While it looks like a timeless American prairie, the spot was actually filmed in California over several days to capture the perfect natural light.

• The Training: Lincoln wasn’t “forced” to fly. AEF uses a “bird-first behavior” model. The takeoff was achieved by placing his favorite trainers at specific points; Lincoln “chose” to fly from the horse to his handler because he trusts them.

SIDEBAR: THE ANATOMY OF A TEAR-JERKER

Safety First: How They Handled The ‘Iconic’ Duo

The biggest question for animal lovers was the safety of the eagle and the horses. According to production logs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) permitted the entire shoot, and a team of 15 expert trainers was on-site at all times.

The Clydesdale chosen for the final leap was a seasoned “pro” who had been acclimated to Lincoln’s presence for weeks before the cameras rolled. Because bald eagles are apex predators, the primary concern was ensuring the horse didn’t spook. Surprisingly, the trainers reported the two animals were “completely symbiotic” from day one.

“Lincoln is a professional,” says one handler from the AEF. “He’s used to 70,000 screaming football fans. A galloping horse is just a day at the office for him.”

The ‘Free Bird’ Effect

You can’t talk about the ad without the music. Choosing the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd guitar solo to score a bald eagle’s flight is, as one critic put it, “marketing so patriotic it should be illegal.” It perfectly bridged the gap between the brand’s 150th anniversary and the nation’s 250th birthday, creating a ‘symphony of nostalgia’ that hit the target audience exactly where it hurts—their hearts.

As the ad concludes with the two farmers drinking a Bud and one claiming “the sun’s in my eyes,” it’s clear that Budweiser has reclaimed its throne as the King of Super Bowl Commercials.

Was that eagle takeoff the best part of the Super Bowl, or did the Clydesdale foal in the rain steal the show for you?